Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Brookings, SD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.9% of gross income.
Brookings rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota state estimate).
About rent and a bartender salary
Declared bartender pay sits below the rent threshold for a one-bedroom in most US cities. Actual tip income in high-volume bars and fine-dining can push real take-home substantially higher. At the national-average declared bartender salary, the 30% rule supports about $878 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These South Dakota cities have lower median rent than Brookings, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:
Compare with full rent data for Brookings
View full rent data for Brookings, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a bartender afford rent in Brookings, SD?
Median rent in Brookings is $1,286 a month. A typical bartender in South Dakota earns about $30,914 a year, which makes that rent 49.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a bartender afford in Brookings?
Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in South Dakota (~$30,914/yr) supports up to $773 a month in rent. Brookings's current median rent is $1,286/mo, which is $513/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Brookings?
At an hourly equivalent of about $15 an hour, a bartender in South Dakota works roughly 86.5 hours a month to cover Brookings's median rent of $1,286.
Where is rent cheaper than Brookings for a bartender?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Sioux Falls ($1,279/mo), Sioux Falls ($1,276/mo), Sioux Falls ($1,271/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.